Georgia Injury Law Blog

As Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers, we constantly monitor bicycle safety stories from around the country. Often, we find that these issues are mirrored very strongly in our very own Georgia.   We have been following closely an incident in California, involving a doctor on trial for causing serious injuries to two bicyclists in a fit of road rage.

Dr Christopher Thompson admitted during his trial that he had been angry at frequent violations of traffic rules by local bicyclists. The good doctor apparently found this frustration reason enough to pull over in front of the two bicyclists, and slam on the brakes. The two bikers were minding their own business cycling along when they crashed into Thompson’s sedan. Both of them suffered serious injuries, and one of them required plastic surgery to correct severe facial damage.  Last week, the doctor was sentenced to 5 years in prison. The judge noted that he showed no remorse for his behavior.

In Georgia too, we have noticed increasing public impatience, and even anger, towards bicyclists. Ask any Atlanta bicyclist, and he will tell you of the taunts, the yelling, the glares and the rude gestures that he suffers. Many motorists labor under the assumption that the streets are built solely for them, and all other users are intruders. There’s even a Facebook group that is dedicated solely to beating down bicyclists. 

As Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers, we believe that these increased confrontations between motorists and bicyclists will not continue forever. As more and more numbers of bicyclists join others, motorists will get used to sharing the roads with these people, thereby helping change their driving behavior.   However, for this to happen, local agencies in Georgia must invest more in education and awareness programs. This is especially so on narrower streets in Atlanta that may not have enough space for a dedicated bike lane. Education on its own won’t be enough. We also need stronger laws that protect bicyclists from the harassment they are increasingly beginning to see.   

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Bicycle Injury Claims | 0 Comments Permalink

A bicycle accident in Sandy Springs over the Christmas weekend left a 50-year-old bicyclist seriously injured. According to police, the man was cycling when a car crossed right in front of him at an intersection. The cyclist had no way of avoiding the car. The impact threw him off the bicycle and on the road. He suffered head injuries, and was rushed to the hospital. The motorist has been charged with failure to yield.

As Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers, we have been concerned at what seems like the slow erasing of bicyclist safety from our surface transportation polices. Last month, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced $65.8 million in transportation projects funded by federal stimulus dollars. Just two bicycle-friendly projects have been earmarked for funds. One is a multi use trail in Fulton County at a cost of $165,000, and the other is a Rails to Trails project in Warm Springs at a cost of $587,000.

On the other hand, there is some reason to cheer. The Federal Highway Administration has released its latest edition of national standards for traffic signs and signals, called the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD). This edition includes specific instructions for the marking of sharrows, or share lane markings. These sharrows are typically marked on a road where there is no space for a bike lane, or when the bike lane is too close to parked automobiles, placing bicyclists in danger of being struck by opening car doors. Sharrows allow bicyclists to maintain safe routes, and also encourage motorists to share the roads with cyclists. Atlanta has plenty of narrow roads that may not allow for a separate bike lane, and we definitely need more sharrows.

With more Atlantans being lured to the freedom biking offers, it is becoming important that we reassess our transportation policies to make space for bicycles. Otherwise, we run the risk of creating a hostile situation with frequent confrontations between motorists and bicyclists.

Posted By Lisa Siegel In Bicycle Injury Claims | 0 Comments Permalink

In Atlanta and other major cities, an innovative group known as "Critical Mass" has organized to promote riding bicycles among city streets used primarily by motor vehicles. Critical Mass riders seek to promote enthusiasm for bike riding in what has become a “car culture.” Critical Mass hosts monthly Friday rides.

The Atlanta Bicycle Campaign, another bicycle activist group, hosts an annual Share the Road event that promotes safe riding by cyclists on the Atlanta streets. The event hosts an annual ride and raises money to promotes cycling safety on Atlanta streets. 

However, cycling in Atlanta is not a smooth ride. In 2001 Bicycling Magazine named Atlanta as the worst city for riding a bike. While Atlanta has the right weather and plenty of bike advocacy groups, the local roads have very few bike lanes. Plus urban sprawl and excessive traffic make riding in Atlanta less than hospitable.

In my practice, we represent many pedestrians and cyclists who have been injured in accidents with motor vehicles.  For the cyclists, these injury are often very serious.  Knowing the rules of the road is key to safe cycling. 

Bikes are considered vehicles under Georgia law unless the statute specifically refers to “motor vehicles.”   Cyclists riding on Georgia roads must:

1. Ride on a regulation seat;
2. Carry only the number of passengers allowed on a bike;
3. Not transport a child under the age of one;
4. Not transport a child between the ages of one and four unless in a regulation seat;
5. Not attach the bike to any vehicle and ride in transport;
6. Not ride more than two abreast on the roadway;
7. Use a bike path where provided;
8. Not carry any packages or bundles which prevent riding with both hands;
9. Have a regulation white and red light on the bicycle when operating it at night;
10. Have a bike with standard regulation handlebars, peddles, reflectors and brakes;
11. Wear a regulation helmet.

For more information on bike safety see also the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

The Share the Road campaign promotes safe cycling and is funded in part by the Office of Highway Safety. The campaign reminds both cyclists and motorists that

1. Cyclists have the right to ride on all surface roads;
2. Cyclists should never ride more than two abreast;
3. Motorists must pass in a safe manner;
4. Cyclists take the lane when the lane is narrow.

Safe cycling in metro Atlanta is no easy adventure. Both cyclists and motorists must know their rights. With few bike lanes to accommodate the bikers now taking to the road, everyone must keep their eye on the road.

Finally, for those who enjoy riding the open road, here are a few safety tips:

1. Wear a helmet to protect your head and face
2. Wear sport sun glasses to keep the bugs and sun out of your eyes;
3. Wear bright reflective clothing so other drivers can see you;
4. Wear padded gloves and padded shorts to protect hands and reduce pain;
5. Make sure your bike is in proper working order, i.e. check the brakes!;
6. Make sure your bike has reflectors and lights;
7. When riding with a child, make sure the child is in a regulation seat; wears a helmet; and fit the bike with spoke guards.

Find more information on bicycle safety tips.  And by all means, have a safe ride!




Posted By Lisa Siegel In Bicycle Injury Claims | 3 Comments Permalink